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Please enable cookies on your browserProstate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.
Across the country, there are more than 240,000 men living with and beyond the disease. Many are dealing with serious side effects from treatment.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS.
So we’re taking action.
This is how we’re going to win the fight.
Our weapons of choice? Innovation and collaboration. We think differently. We back fresh and promising ideas. We unite researchers and experts across the world to chase down breakthroughs in prostate cancer, from early detection through to diagnosis, treatment and support. And we’re always steered by the question: what works for men?
It’s not just about a cure – it’s about quality of life.
The plan of attack
1. Taking action early
Helping men know the signs, symptoms and risk factors for prostate cancer.
2. Bright minds brought together
We’re bringing the best minds from around the world together to collaborate.
3. Tackling biology
Increasing the knowledge of the most lethal prostate cancer tumours, and how to slow or stop its progression.
4. Reducing side effects
No matter where they are in the world, men and their families and carers must have access to services and support.
5. Affordable treatment
We’re influencing governments to provide affordable treatment and to get new treatments into practice faster.
6. Tailored treatments, precision care
Personalised treatment is the new frontier of cancer research. From distinguishing between harmless and lethal cancers, to taking into account genes, lifestyle and environment: it means a better outcome for men.
7. Helping men make tough choices
Men need the right info to understand their diagnosis and make an informed decision when it comes to treatment.
8. Raising the standard
We’re identifying excellence in prostate cancer treatment and care, to reduce the number of men who aren’t getting the best outcome possible.
9. Global initiatives
Our three largest investments in prostate cancer are global projects that will mean better outcomes for men everywhere.
GLOBAL COLLABORATION
The key to progress? Collaboration. We connect researchers around the world, achieving faster results to reach men sooner. We share our successes and our failures so the scientific community doesn’t lose time to duplicating research.
Global Action Plan
Movember works with leading researchers from around the world to identify key research areas to work together on. Since 2011, Movember has committed $43 million AUD to seven key global research projects in prostate and testicular cancer:
- GAP1: Prostate Cancer Biomarkers
- GAP2: Advanced Prostate Cancer Imaging
- GAP3: Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance
- GAP4: Prostate Cancer Exercise and Metabolic Health
- GAP5: Testicular Cancer TIGER Trial
- GAP6: Oligometastic Prostate Cancer
- GAP7: True North Testicular Cancer Program (Nuts and Bolts)
True North
True North is a global prostate cancer program developed by Movember to help improve outcomes and quality of life for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. With the help of clinicians, researchers, health organisations and user feedback, True North aims to provide information, resources and support to help men navigate the prostate cancer journey.
Visit the True North website
Clinical quality
Our clinical quality initiatives are transforming prostate cancer healthcare globally by building a better understanding of men’s experiences. By compiling reports from both doctors and patients throughout diagnosis and treatment – and comparing these experiences across regions – we’re improving the quality of prostate cancer care, and reducing treatment variation by continually learning, benchmarking and promoting excellence. These initiatives are active in 18 countries.
The world's first precision medicine drug for treating prostate cancer
Movember-funded research by Dr Joaquin Mateo contributed to the approval of olaparib in the United States for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (advanced prostate cancer). Olaparib works by targeting cancer cell’s ability to repair damage to their DNA. Read on.
Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROMs)
The Prostate Cancer Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROMs) is a survey of all men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at various timepoints in their clinical care. The survey aims to understand more about the experiences of a man with prostate cancer and then make recommendations on how health services can adapt to improve a man’s health and wellbeing as well as influence policy.
Advances in prostate cancer imaging
18F-Fluciclovine is a novel radiotracer for whole-body imaging of prostate cancer tumours using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Approved in the United States for detection of recurrent prostate cancer in men with elevated PSA levels after previous treatment, it is now marketed by Blue Earth Diagnostics as Axumin®.
Latest breakthroughs in new drugs
Enzalutamide and abiraterone are two androgen receptor-targeted drugs approved in the United States for men whose prostate cancer has spread to other areas of their body. Movember funding for the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium supported pivotal clinical research which contributed to the approval of Enzalutamide (Xtandi®) and abiraterone (Zytiga®).
Local impact
In addition to large-scale efforts that span the globe, we’re also making strides for men in Australia.
Prostate cancer specialist nurses service
The first of its kind in Australia, this project offers the thousands of men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year accessible specialist nursing care through the entire cycle of their treatment. Read on.
Clinical trials in Australia
Movember has funded two clinical trials targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), a protein that can be found in high levels on prostate cancer cells which make it a unique target for new diagnostic tests and treatments. Considered the most promising new technology in 15 years, the works led by Prof Michael Hofman at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne have led to two major breakthroughs in 2020:
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PSMA PET imaging was more accurate than current imaging technologies (bone scan and CT) in determining how much cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland (ProPSMA trial), suggesting PSMA PET should be routinely used in making decisions on treatments for men with high-risk cancer.
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177Lu-PSMA, a radionuclide therapy, was more effective than standard chemotherapy in men with advanced prostate cancer who had already been treated with docetaxel (TheraP trial). A late stage trial is currently in progress, with results expected in early 2021.
